Battery box fab

Well, my daughter needed a battery box for the '70 CJ-5 project she got for Christmas (and her birthdayR)). This is far from a resto and didn't really want to buy one so I dug through the scrap pile. I found some 3/16" thick strap material left from another project so I bent it into a rectangle after measuring a group 24 battery I had kicking around and taking careful measurements between the firewall and inner fender of the Jeep. A couple of careful measurements, a drink or two of an adult beverage, a vice, and a hammer and we had a rectangle for the base. Then I welded the two ends together. Didn't have anything good to make the bottom out of laying around so a few days later a stop at the scrap yard was in order. $3 later I had everything I needed. I used some 12 gauge (possibly 10 gauge) for the bottom. I cut it to size with a cutoff wheel and a grinder. I knocked the corners off for drainage, fit it to the strap material I had, and welded all 4 sides solid to the strap, but left the corners open for drainage.
I then bent up and drilled a couple of supports from the firewall to the base piece. I also drilled a couple of holes in the base piece. This thing is built to use the stock 4 threaded battery box holes in the firewall. A little bit of Rustoleum primer and black paint, some flanged bolts, and ready to go!
I still have the hold down to finish, it's getting rust removed in a bucket right now! I have a couple of "J" hooks ready to be installed as soon as the top piece is done. This isn't the most beautiful work in the world, but for under $8 (including cut off wheels, paint, and metal) total it'll do and is much stouter than most of the ones you can buy.

 

That looks real close to the original.BTW i have the OEM box out of my '69.i remote mounted the battery in the rear and have no need for it.you can have it if you want.I'm in salem and go to Portland once in a while.maybe we can meet.just a thought.let me know.

mike s.

 

Sounds good! Always like to meet up with a fellow Jeeper. PM with my # on the way.